Latest news with #Gravity
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lucid teams up with Timothée Chalamet
EV maker Lucid (LCID) is partnering with Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet. Chalamet has been named the company's first-ever global brand ambassador. Yahoo Finance Senior Autos Reporter Pras Subramanian reports the details. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Market Domination Overtime here. Meanwhile, luxury EV maker, Lucid trying to accelerate the brand with celebrity status, the latest company announcing a star spokesperson. This time, it's actor Timothy Chalamet who was named Global brand ambassador and a break down the company's move. Want to bring Pras Subramanian, Yahoo Finance's senior auto reporter, Pras. Walk us through this news. Well, you know, it kind of caught my eye because we just came off, you know, the heels of Sydney Sweeney's kind of, you know, signing with, uh, American Eagle there with being being being like the new campaign for the for the fall. This actually Lucid's move with Chalamet is actually Timothy Chalamet, as I should say, is actually a multi-year deal, right? As global brand ambassador. You see him there in the new Gravity SUV. This is part of the whole deal, right? They're launching this new SUV, it's gonna be kinda hitting showrooms in sort of force this summer and the fall and he's gonna appear in some commercials with that car. And it's funny because Lucid said that they sort of got the idea of approaching Chalamet because he apparently was seen driving one of the Lucid vehicles in 2023. They saw that, thought about, you know, he's a he's a kind of like a an iconic moment, right? For for this generation and acting multi award winner and nominee for an Oscar for Dune movie. So, you know, it's not what's not to love here if you're Lucid, right? So let me ask you this. When you you partner with a Hollywood heavy, right? Does it actually, do we know whether that if and how that actually impacts your financials? Does that move cars? Do people say, you know what, I was on the fence, but then I saw Timmy and he just he swung me right over, right? Now, now I'm in. Is that what happens? You know, I I think on a small level, maybe, but I think the big thing is that it's sort of having Timothy and his sort of presence and his uh, uh, uh visibility with like Gen Z, for instance, now attached to your brand. People start talking about it, say, did you see Chalamet now is is with Lucid cars, you know, something like that. Plus, Lucid is a green brand, an EV maker, an American brand, so you can see that tying in with with with Chalamet uh, who I understand is uh uh a very uh outspoken about environmental issues and things like that. So, I think that sort of works in everyone's favor there. I think that's why you're seeing this. But yeah, it definitely caught my eye, it was a little bit out of the blue, but you're seeing more and more celebrities, A-list celebrity. He's A-list, right? Doing stuff like this, and it's not seen as a black mark these days. What about, just finally, quickly, kind of just Lucid's place, Pras, in the broader EV market? How's it changing? How's it evolving? What's what's next for them? You know, they they came out and they did sort of the Tesla model. They came out the high end with the in their case, the Lucid Air sedan, you know, with the Model S that was a very high-end sedan for Tesla. Still is these days, you know, 80, 90, $100,000. So they came there at that level uh, at a very compelling product, high technology, great feature set. And now it's coming down, trickling down to more mainstream products. The gravity SUV will be a little bit cheaper, but more of an appeal to a broader set of people who want SUVs. And then they're going to go with what they call a mid-sized vehicle that's coming out in a few in a couple years, a more modestly priced, uh, you know, like think Rivian R2, right? That's supposed to be the big volume seller for them. Lucid will do that same thing. And so you have someone like Timothy on, I keep calling him Timothy, like we're buddies, but you know, Chalamet's there now to sort of, you know, bring more attention to that, highlight their cause. Uh, maybe he'll be seen driving more vehicles around. I think Chevy, for its ZR2, should think about partnering with Josh Lipton. I think could really I mean at least And then they just put it right back here. Midnight edition. It's just an idea I'm putting out there for Chevy. It's just something to consider. And then every so you can just put your glasses on, drive off. Perfect. That's good television. Thank you, Pras.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The next meme stock? Timothée Chalamet named Lucid's global brand ambassador
American Eagle (AEO) has Sydney Sweeney. And now EV upstart Lucid Motors (LCID) has its own superstar. Lucid Motors announced it has signed a "multi-year partnership" with Oscar-nominated actor and "culture icon" Timothée Chalamet as the company's first-ever global brand ambassador. As part of the deal, Chalamet will star in Lucid's marketing push for the EV maker's upcoming Gravity SUV. Lucid claims the Chalamet tie-up comes as the star was spotted driving a Lucid Air sedan in 2023. "We're excited to welcome Timothée as our first Global Brand Ambassador," Akerho Oghoghomeh, senior vice president of marketing at Lucid, said in a statement. "Together, we'll show what's possible when innovation and cultural relevance come together to move the world forward." Chalamet's stardom has soared in recent years thanks to movies like the "Dune" series, "A Complete Unknown," and "Wonka." Increasingly, however, his off-screen exploits have caught mainstream attention, including his outward New York Knicks fandom, head-to-toe Chrome Hearts outfits, and relationship with fellow celeb (and beauty entrepreneur) Kylie Jenner. Lucid's connection with Chalamet comes on the heels of Sydney Sweeney's deal with American Eagle, the teen brand that has been suffering of late. Sweeney's deal to star in the brand's fall campaign (dubbed "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans") sent social media abuzz and American Eagle stock soaring last Thursday, with shares jumping 20% in pre-market trading before closing up 4.3%. While the Sweeney images and accompanying ad copy caused some controversy, the ensuing coverage coming American Eagle's way is still seen as a positive. American Eagle's CMO likened the Sweeney partnership to the denim brand's "Super Bowl." As for Lucid stock, news of Chalamet's signing hasn't lifted shares higher. Perhaps the "Dune" actor just needs better jeans. Pras Subramanian is the lead auto reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram. Sign in to access your portfolio
Malaysian Reserve
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Malaysian Reserve
Uber to deploy robotaxis with Lucid, Nuro
UBER Technologies Inc is teaming up with electric vehicle (EV) maker Lucid Group Inc and self-driving tech startup Nuro Inc to launch a robotaxi fleet. Uber announced on July 17 it or its third-party partners will purchase and operate Lucid Gravity SUVs outfitted with Nuro Driver technology on its ride-sharing network. The company aims to launch the first vehicle later in 2026 in an unidentified major US city, with plans to deploy at least 20,000 of the robotaxis over six years. The ride-sharing company also announced it's making separate multi-hundred-million-dollar investments in both Lucid and Nuro. That funding will include US$300 million (RM1.41 billion) for Lucid that will be used in part to upgrade to its assembly line to integrate Nuro hardware into the Gravity vehicles, according to the EV company. Lucid won't have issues delivering enough vehicles to meet demand from both Uber and its retail consumer base, the car-maker's interim CEO Marc Winterhoff said. 'We have enough capacity to accommodate both,' he said, while acknowledging Lucid still has 'some issues to overcome' as it ramps up production. 'I don't foresee any shortages.' Lucid shares soared 38% — the biggest gain in more than two and a half years — to US$3.15 on July 17 in regular trading in New York. Uber shares were little changed. Separately, Lucid also said it plans a one-for-10 reverse stock split, subject to shareholder approval. Winterhoff said in the interview the split isn't an effort to avoid delisting, but rather a way to make it easier to attract new investors. The Lucid-Nuro deal adds to more than a dozen partnerships that Uber has announced with autonomous vehicle tech developers and carmakers, including Waymo LLC and Volkswagen Group of America, as it aims to be the go-to commercial app for robotaxis. Last two weeks, Uber announced a partnership with Chinese AV maker Baidu Inc to deploy robotaxis in several non-US markets. Currently autonomous rides are available through the Uber app in Phoenix, Austin, Atlanta and Abu Dhabi. The substantial investments by Uber further underscore its strategy shift away from developing autonomous technology in-house, as it did under co-founder and former CEO Travis Kalanick, in favour of partnering with and investing in firms that specialise in AV. Uber has monetised some of its equity stakes in firms such as autonomous freight company Aurora Innovation Inc to fund future investments in the driverless ecosystem, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has said. Competition is intensifying in the still-nascent robotaxi market, with EV giant Tesla Inc rolling out its long-promised service in Austin last month and CEO Elon Musk pledging to expand to other cities. Uber first partnered with Nuro in 2022 on food delivery robots. The following year Nuro pivoted from building and scaling custom AVs to focusing on developing autonomous software. The Uber partnership also adds a notable customer for Lucid, one of the few pure play EV makers in the US, as it works to popularise Gravity, its second vehicle model. The company has been working to amp up production and deliveries and has estimated it will produce 20,000 vehicles in 2025, more than double the year before. Prototype robotaxis developed by Lucid and Nuro are already in operation on Nuro's Las Vegas closed-circuit testing grounds. Nuro president Dave Ferguson, who declined to specify the amount of funding it's getting from Uber, told Bloomberg TV in a separate interview that his company and Lucid were able to get a prototype vehicle up and running in about seven weeks. Winterhoff said Uber chose its SUV because the company can integrate the necessary hardware at its factory. Nuro's software will be added once Uber receives the vehicles. Winterhoff had said in a call with investors in May that the company was in advanced discussions with partners about using Gravity for autonomous vehicle purposes. 'This is a stepping stone on our journey to expand our tech leadership from EV and licensing into partnerships in other areas,' Winterhoff said. 'A lot can happen in six years. I really see this as the first starting point.' Lucid also has been working on advanced driver systems and announced earlier this year that it had partnered with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. Winterhoff said the company still plans to work on its own autonomous and driver assistance technology. This week Lucid separately announced it's adding hands-free drive and lane change assist to its software suite. — Bloomberg This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sandra Bullock turns 61: Revisiting once Keanu Reeves' crush's best roles
Sandra Bullock's birthday: Hollywood darling Sandra Bullock turns 61 today, July 26. Fans across the globe are celebrating the powerhouse performer who has graced every genre imaginable. From sharp-tongued beauty queens to stoic astronauts floating in space, Bullock's filmography showcases an actor unafraid to evolve, experiment, and emotionally connect with the audience. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in Speed On Sandra Bullock's birthday, here are some of her most celebrated films you should definitely add to your watch list. ALSO READ| Ballerina movie review: Ana de Armas is a worthy successor to Keanu Reeves' John Wick in splendid, jaw-dropping actioner Speed (1994) Bullock's breakout moment came through this adrenaline-fueled thriller where she played Annie Porter, a passenger forced to drive a bus rigged to explode if it is slowed below 50 mph. Alongside Keanu Reeves, Bullock proved she could handle action thrillers and this catapulted her into stardom. Gravity (2013) Sandra's raw and haunting performance as Dr Ryan Stone, a medical engineer stranded in space, earned her an Oscar nomination. The role demanded not just physical endurance but emotional resilience as well since she carried much of the film solo. Also Read: Speed stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock to work together after 20 years in a romantic thriller Miss Congeniality (2000) Bullock, after winning over audiences in action films, appeared in Miss Congeniality as tough-as-nails FBI agent Gracie Hart, who is turned into a reluctant beauty pageant contestant. Bullock showed off her impeccable comic timing and endearing awkwardness in the film, which became a pop-culture staple and cemented her status as a leading lady in rom-coms. The Proposal (2009) This fan-favorite romantic comedy saw Bullock play a no-nonsense editor who fakes a relationship with her assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to avoid deportation. Their undeniable chemistry and some unforgettable scenes in Alaska made this a major hit. Two Weeks Notice (2002) Reuniting with her wit and charm, Bullock starred alongside Hugh Grant as an overworked lawyer tired of being treated like a personal assistant. The film blends workplace comedy with romantic tension to delightful effect. The Blind Side (2009) In a role that won her an Academy Award, Bullock played Leigh Anne Tuohy, a wealthy Southern woman who adopts a homeless African-American teen and helps him become an NFL star. Her grounded, heartfelt performance resonated deeply with audiences. Also Read: Sandra Bullock warns fans about imposters posing as the actor on social media: 'It is my deep concern' Sandra Bullock's birthday: Honorable mentions you should not miss The Lost City: A lighthearted adventure comedy starring Channing Tatum and Daniel Radcliffe. Bird Box: A dystopian horror-thriller featuring Sandra Bullock stars as a mom just trying to get her kids through a deadly, unseen threat. Ocean's 8: As Debbie Ocean, Sandra carries out an all-lady heist of the Met Gala with charm, glitz and glamor. FAQs Q: What ethnicity is Sandra Bullock? A: Sandra Bullock is of mixed ethnicity: her father was of German and English descent, and her mother was German. Q: Who is Sandra Bullock's real-life partner? A: Sandra Bullock was in a long-term relationship with photographer Bryan Randall until his passing in 2023. Q: Is Jennifer Aniston friends with Sandra Bullock? A: Yes, the two actors are known to be friends and have shared warm moments at public events. Q: Do Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock like each other? A: Yes, they share a great friendship and mutual respect, with strong on-screen chemistry in The Proposal. Q: Did Matthew McConaughey date Sandra Bullock? A: Yes, Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey reportedly dated briefly in the late 1990s.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lucid's Level 2 Hands-Free Driver Assist Is Finally Coming This Month
When it comes to fully self-driving cars, we're dealing with a two-horse race: Waymo vs. Tesla. And in that competition, Waymo has a huge lead, thanks to a heavy investment in Lidar, or laser radars. Tesla is relying on cameras and computing power to play catch up. Importantly, both companies are aiming to establish profitable robotaxi services. Meanwhile, other automakers simply want to enhance their driver-assist features, and Lucid is now doing just that, adding hands-free capability to its DreamDrive Pro system. A lot of carmakers are content to improve their driver-assist suite without taking the plunge on full autonomy. They aren't in the robotaxi game, and their objective is basically to stay competitive. For Lucid, its luxurious Air sedan and Gravity SUV need a hands-free option, as well as a lane-change assist feature. According to Lucid, owners of the Air will have access to the improvements as an over-the-air update on July 30, and it's coming to the Gravity later this year. Read more: These Are The Worst New Car And SUV Deals Right Now, According To Consumer Reports Driver-Assist Is Nowhere Near Self-Driving These types of Level 2 driver-assist technologies are pitched as stress-relievers rather than driver-eliminators. It's best to consider them as a form of advanced adaptive cruise control that allows the driver to take their hands off the wheel, change lanes without actively steering, and subject themselves to attention monitoring. Let your eyes wander, and the vehicle will prompt you to get those hands back on the wheel. Cool stuff, but not cheap. DreamDrive Premium is standard on all Air trims; going to Pro is $2,500 more (the exception being the fully kitted $250,000 Air Sapphire). Tesla's "Autopilot" with "Full-Self-Driving" (FSD) is an $8,000 add-on at purchase, or a $99-per-month subscription if you want it later, and it doesn't actually permit hands-free driving. I've always been on the fence about whether these systems are worth it. In a General Motors vehicle equipped with Super Cruise, I've definitely de-stressed while feeling entirely safe. In a Tesla, I've had more uneven experiences, although it's been a while since I sampled the latest and greatest that "Autopilot"/FSD delivers. Lucid's system is certainly comprehensive, including lidar, radar, visible-light cameras, surround-view cameras, and ultrasonic sensors, according to the company. Less Stressful For The Driver, More Stressful For The Automaker A startup like Lucid is under immense pressure to keep pace with the rest of the industry while also presenting itself as an EV innovator. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are becoming ubiquitous and are a marker of how cars are becoming more futuristic. They aren't a last-century industrial technology. So Lucid's customers expect that an EV costing more than $100,000 (for the Air Grand Touring trim) is going to be state-of-the-art, even if the company needs to manage the numerous challenges of creating a carmaker from scratch. Do customers think their Lucid needs to do everything a Tesla can? Maybe not. But as the company noted in its press release announcing the new features, it wants to push the story of its vehicles being "software defined." It also wants to retain an autonomous-mobility subplot. On the other hand, it's great to see Lucid continuing to go after Tesla at every opportunity and striving to maintain technological parity. The cheapest Gravity SUV is $80,000, so Lucid isn't encumbered by having to make every decision based on affordability. What we have here are unabashedly premium EVs. They actually should have every available high-tech bell and whistle, even if full autonomy isn't quite yet in the picture. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
